On May 5th, National Silence the Shame Day brings an opportunity to continue the conversation about mental health and wellness and erase the stigma associated with mental illness.
Mental illness, like any other health concern, is diagnosed at different stages. It may have fewer symptoms from time to time and/or impact on our daily functioning. It is also important to know that mental illness is treatable and recovery is possible.
Unlike other areas of our health care, many people don’t have an affordable or accessible routine plan of care for mental health challenges. Individuals who may have access often suffer in silence due to the stigma of being diagnosed.
National Silence the Shame Day offers education and awareness, opening up conversations about mental health, wellness, mental illness, and recovery.
- TODAY I am Silencing the Shame around mental health and donating to increase resources. Join me by texting the word SILENCE to 707070.
- Today I will Silence the Shame around stigma in mental health! Please join us and text to give! $5 or $100, every amount helps! Text the word SILENCE to 707070.
- Today I will Silence the Shame and not be afraid to talk about mental wellness! Please help me to raise awareness and funding by texting SILENCE to 707070.
Other ways to participate include:
- Attend a mental health fair. They offer information about mental health conditions and how to care for your own mental health and wellness.
- Visit the blog/hashtag at #SilenceTheShame for stories like yours. You’re not alone or the only one dealing with mental health concerns.
- Request an assessment at your next checkup if you feel you may have mental health challenges.
- Some employers offer free, confidential employee assistance programs that include counseling sessions.
- Also, consider that 1 in 5 Americans suffer from some kind of mental illness. A neighbor, family member, coworker, friend, church member, or classmate could be struggling with a mental illness. However, the stigma silences them.
- Find out how you can make a difference to #SilenceTheShame by checking out the resources page.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a 24/7 free suicide hotline (1-800-273-8255). Here anyone can get help or get involved. Also for confidential help, you can text the word Silence to 741741 from anywhere in the USA to text with a trained Crisis Counselor from Crisis Text Line.
Visit www.silencetheshame.com to learn more and join the movement.
NATIONAL SILENCE THE SHAME DAY HISTORY
The Hip-Hop Professional Foundation, Inc. founded Silence the Shame Day on May 5, 2017, to increase positive awareness and education concerning mental illnesses and to encourage open discussion about mental health.
The Registrar at National Day Calendar proclaimed National Silence the Shame Day to be observed in 2018.
About Shanti Das
Shanti Das is an accomplished entertainment executive, consultant, entrepreneur, mentor, author, and Philanthropist.
Shanti is a 27-year veteran in the entertainment business. Her music industry career (intern to Executive Vice President) included positions at Capitol Records, LaFace Records, Columbia Records, Sony Urban Music and Universal Motown where she worked directly with some of music’s top talent like Outkast, Usher, Prince, TLC, Toni Braxton, Erykah Badu, and more.
An advocate for many social issues and service projects for the past 9 years, she decided to establish her very own nonprofit, The Hip-Hop Professional Foundation, Inc. The mission of the foundation is: To empower and enrich the lives of those in underserved communities around mental health, youth empowerment, and poverty.
The foundation’s mental health movement is Silence the Shame. Shanti has suffered from depression over the years and has also experienced loved ones affected by mental health disorders. With Silence the Shame, she hopes to peel back the layers of shame and stigma as it relates to mental health.